17 Arrested in Connection with Multi-Agency Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Investigations in Kings County

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by Staff Report , December 4, 2023

Originally published by the Kings County Sheriff’s Office:

Between November 29th, 2023, through December 1st, 2023, members of the Kings County Sheriff’s Office, Hanford Police Department, Lemoore Police Department, Corcoran Police Department, California Department of Justice, FBI, Kings County Major Crimes Task Force, Homeland Security, and Naval Criminal Investigation Services (NCIS) conducted an operation to combat Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation.

Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation is a growing issue, requiring vigilance and constant attention. It can take place in any community, regardless of the community’s size or location. During the operation, investigators spoke to numerous individuals through Internet sites and mobile applications known to foster this activity. Through those conversations, several people arranged to meet in order to pay for sex, receive money for sex, meet with underage girls and boys for sex, and arrange for underage girls to enter Human Trafficking.  19 people were arrested on various charges related to Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation and two females were rescued from Human Trafficking. Arrested were:

• Jose Figueroa Laredo, 29 years old, was arrested for PC 288.3, PC 288.4
• Jose Leon Martinez, 25 years old, was arrested for PC 288.3, PC 288.4
• Raul Carrillo Flores, 38 years old, was arrested for PC 288.3, PC 288.4
• Andrew Prieto, 26 years old, was arrested for PC 288.3, PC 288.4
• Elijah Perez, 22 years old, was arrested for PC 288.3, PC 288.4
• Isaac Martinez, 29 years old, was arrested for PC 288.3, PC 288.4
• Jose Jimenez Munoz, 34 years old, was arrested for PC 288.2, PC 288.3, PC 288.4,
• Benustiano Martinez Ceja, 30 years old, was arrested for PC 288.3, PC 288.4(b)
• Leyser Padilla Galicia, 30 years old, was arrested for PC 288.3, PC 288.4
• Jose Garcia, 32 years old, was arrested for PC 288.3(a), PC 288.2(a)(2)
• Ernesto Castro, 29 years old, was arrested for PC 288.3, PC 288.4
• Joshua Wilkinson, 35 years old, was arrested for PC 288(a), PC 288(b)(1), PC 288(c)(1), PC 289(a)(1)(A), PC 289(a)(1)(B), PC 289(a)(1)(C), PC 261(a)(2), PC 269(a)(1), PC 269(a)(4), PC 269(a)(5), PC 287a(C)(1), PC 287a(C)(2)(B)
• Andrew Orosco, 24 years old, was arrested for PC 288.4
• Anthony Baffo, 47 years old, was arrested for PC 288.2, PC 288.3, PC 288.4, PC 311.4
• Cody Mendes, 30 years old, was arrested for PC 288.3, PC 288.4
• Juan Vasquez, 30 years old, was arrested for PC 288.3, PC 288.4
• David Serrato, 35 years old, was arrested for PC 288.3, PC 288.4

Through enforcement, education, and advocacy we are attempting to raise awareness about these growing issues.  If you are a victim or know someone who is/has been the victim of Human Trafficking, please contact Breaking the Chains at (559) 456-1566.

Photos (Courtesy of KCSO):